I have completed one of my most anticipated bucket list items. To tour and see the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior in person. As an avid advocate of the environment and all the care we should grant it, there is nothing more exciting to me than meeting like minded individuals who share the same passions as me, and have since taken it to a professional level. So when information came out about the Rainbow Warrior coming to Colombo, I snatched the opportunity and managed to secure one of the remaining tickets. I also learnt that Pearl Protectors, an organisation focused on protecting the marine life and eco-systems of Sri Lanka, would be there with their own exhibit in partnership with Green Peace so I had an extra reason to go.
Greenpeace is an international organisation founded by environmental activists who “exist because this fragile earth deserves a voice,” as per their website. Their ship, the Rainbow Warrior, is part of a fleet of other ships taking environmental researchers around the world to spread awareness and protest against threats to t
he environment. They sailed to our little island with the launch of their south Asia regional office in Colombo.
The Most Exciting Day of my Life
The 17th of February came around and as the only person with a ticket in my family, and probably my whole school with how quickly they were sold (for free), I came not only with the mission to learn but also to document. This way I could share the knowledge and excitement of this ship with others. My session was for 12 pm, so I headed an hour in advance knowing that there might be some confusion with getting into Colombo port. However, Greenpeace had foreseen this and at the entrance volunteers ushered us through helping us with identification details for authorities, and provided buses to take us to the ship.
After arriving at the ship and taking some snapshots, I waited my turn with a group to be let onto the boat for the tour. Whilst waiting I explored the exhibition set up by Pearl Protectors displaying their initiatives. On the walls of the tent they had posted pictures of the inferno of the MV X-Press Pearl which released billions of plastic pellets into Sri Lankan waters damaging the ecosystem severely. I have already witnessed many pictures online of dead fish with nurdles coating the inside of our mouths, but adding to this image of the disaster was one of an Indian fisherman wading through a river of oil in his hometown. These depictions of the effect it not only has environmentally but economically on local businesses touched me deeply as it is a side we don’t often see.
Pearl Protectors x Greenpeace Exhibition
I was guided around by Thacin, a local volunteer for Pearl Protectors. I first met him at the model of a sea turtles nest with baby turtles hatching from the shells digging out of the sand. I inquired into the scene and he told me how he’s helped out gather sea turtle eggs from their nests to protect them from poachers and ensure that they hatch in a safe environment giving them a fair chance at survival to adulthood which in nature is already slim. He took me around and showed me some barnacles, the size of which much bigger than what I usually see in the wild. He informed me over how they are an invasive species that grow on marine life often taking them over such as lobsters. I really enjoyed the knowledge he shared and admire his passion for this.
The Bow
After a bit of walking around and experiencing the most impactful VR video of my life, showing the slow degradation of marine life to pollution and then clean ups, I was finally able to board the ship. As I walked up the ramp onto the main deck, I was guided to go to the bow of the ship where we received our introduction to this magnificent boat that has been sailing the seas since 2011. This Rainbow Warrior is the third in existence after the first one got blown up after leading a peaceful anti-nuclear protest, and the second being donated to an NGO. We were told of the cutest tradition that is that every new year the youngest crew member rings the bell just outside the front of the bridge. At the very tip of the bow there is an observation deck that, when the boat is sailing, dolphins like to swim in. And just before that is a wooden dolphin named Dave. Dave was taken from the old ship and it was discovered he housed a time capsule full of memories from past sailors. The current crew have added their personal items to the new one and until Dave gets moved again, he will keep their memories safe.
From the Bow to the Bridge
As we entered the bridge I was in awe of the machinery and immediately snapped some shots, knowing that my little brother would have my neck if I didn’t. He’s an inventor in training and Octonauts has taught him well to love ships. When I leaned over the buttons gleaming all bright neon colours a crew member offered me to sit in the chair where many a captain have sat. He even suggested if I wanted a picture to which I couldn’t say no. This picture soon became one of my favourite ones of the trip, only bested of me next to the sign, but more on that later.
We were soon addressed by another crew member who talked to us about all the different equipment used on the ship and how they used it. He talked to us about how long they could stay at sea before touching solid ground once more. As everyone admired the flashing lights and the modern GPS system they could use thanks to the satellite dishes positioned on the roof, a lady on the tour asked a very good question. What happens if you run into illegal whaling boats? This is a good question and thing sailors need to be prepared for because of the high risk it carries. The crew member responded by saying that they warn ships in advance using communication systems that they are doing and illegal vessels must leave the area. Intervening is very dangerous for the crew so they avoid conflict when possible.
For the Future
We made our way to the main deck of the ship where the helipad is. Yes, a helicopter can land on this sailboat and even be stored on it. But since no helicopter is needed the crew uses the dedicated space to hang out on during evenings to watch the sunset. As this was our last part on the tour we were asked to quickly take some pictures before moving on so we could allow another group to move through. I asked the person giving the talk if he could take a picture of me next to the green peace sign. You remember the one I mentioned earlier? My favourite picture of myself of the day. It captures me with my future dream. To volunteer and help out with actions to protect our beautiful planet earth. Even though currently I am just providing awareness in my community, I hope to spread this to the wider world as soon as possible. I can picture myself in the future, watching the sun set from the middle of the ocean with no land in sight, writing in my diary about my days work helping the world as I laugh with those around me. I hope that one day my dreams of this become a reality. I know they will.
Featured Image Credit: Eloise Golding